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PYREXIA BAND PAGE
 PYREXIA
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CURRENT NAME
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Pyrexia | |
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FORMER NAMES
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- | |
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ORIGIN
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Long Island, New York, USA | |
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STATUS
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Active | |
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FORMED IN
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1990 | |
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LABEL
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Crash Music Inc. | |
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GENRE
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Death metal | |
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STYLE
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- | |
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LYRICAL THEME
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- | |
| BAND ADDED | 2004-08-13, 00:00 | |
| LAST UPDATE | 2008-07-09, 09:26 | |
| Band biography |
Over the past 12 years PYREXIA has proven time and time and again that they are the most unpredictable form of brutal energy. In 1991, with countless support from underground zines and fans, as well as being featured on the cover of book by New York Times writer and Random House Author Donna Gaines, PYREXIA was off to a long and eventful career.
After the acclaimed release of "Liturgy Of Impurity" made its way across the globe, PYREXIA began receiving offers to record a full length album from a slew of European record labels. PYREXIA, young and eager to release an album, signed with Drowned Productions from Spain and, in 1993, released what is now the definition of an underground classic; "Sermon Of Mockery".
This 8 song masterpiece was the essence of death metal; brutal, raw, and musically complex. "Sermon Of Mockery" helped PYREXIA raise up the flag as a true contender.
With the momentum and feedback from this release, PYREXIA took to the road playing shows and fests across North America delivering to the massess live what was created in the studio. Engaging in trades and mailings with everyone and anyone that would give them a listen, focused and ready for whatever came their way, PYREXIA was truly on a road less traveled.
1994, being much older than the other members of PYREXIA, Darryl Wagner, front man and vocalist since the bands inception, decided his musical career was over and done with. Unsure of himself and the unforeseen future, Darryl was the next to part ways with the operation, leaving the band for a life still unknown to this day.
Shaken by the loss of such a critical member, rhythm guitarist Tony Caravella retreated in desperation away from the movement in disbelief of the band's ability to continue on without Darryl. He was never to be seen again.
Instead of folding up at the loss of such an integral part of the first album, PYREXIA decided to take the opportunity to make a drastic and dramatic change in their sound by incorporating singer Keith DeVito, finding him during the process of combing through local demos. With the hopes of separating themselves from what had become a flood of ultra low guttural singers, the band tried a more aggressive and ranged approach that DeVito was able to give them. The formula was an instant and incredible success, spawning the next release in 1995; "Hatredangeranddisgust". Chris' cousin, Phil Selfridge, played as a temporary guitarist in the studio, filling in for Tony.
This 3 song release was a turning point for PYREXIA. Groundbreaking in every sense of the word the release launched the band into a new realm of limitless possibilities.
Now that "Hatredangeranddisgust" had broken the mold of typical death metal, PYREXIA was ready to break all barriers and get right into the studio to record a full length, until they were struck with a series of delays. In the first of a series of abandonments, singer Keith DeVito was offered a temporary spot as fill-in vocalist for Frank Mullen of SUFFOCATION for a DEICIDE/SUFFOCATION European tour. Unable to turn down the spotlight, Keith toured Europe as the singer for SUFFOCATION. When all was said and done, it was decided by SUFFOCATION that Mullen would be the only singer for them.
At that point, though hurt by the departure of Keith, PYREXIA accepted him back with open arms. This decision was not without a cost. The fact that this was the second time the band had almost lost a singer after so much hard work, guitarist and co-founder, Guy Marchais became disenchanted with everything, causing him to take a long vacation. He later surfaced as guitar player for INTERNAL BLEEDING, performing and recording with them for several years. Still a brother, and true friend to all in PYREXIA, as well as life-long songwriting partner and collaborator with Chris, Guy is now currently playing in a most renown New York death metal band; SUFFOCATION.
In 1996, with the return of Keith and the loss of Guy, Chris, unable to find a capable or compatible guitarist switched from playing bass to guitar bringing in one-time bass player Ryan Harrison. When the dust settled, the band forged on to record what is considered the most daring diverse release from PYREXIA, the pure dose of injected adrenalin entitled "System Of The Animal".
Some time after the release of "System Of The Animal", PYREXIA was drawn into a side-project called CATASTROPHIC whose first album was to be released on Metal Blade.
Through word of mouth, Keith DeVito was introduced to, befriended by and toured with OBITUARY as a temporary replacement for John Tardy. When the tours were done, Keith and Trevor from OBITUARY approached the rest of PYREXIA to be part of a new project called CATASTROPHIC. After a less-than-acclaimed first release, a series of undesirable events led guitarist and song writer Chris Basile to leave CATASTROPHIC and continue PYREXIA without the rest of the members.
Driven by a pure belief in PYREXIA's music and history, Basile refused to let the fire burn out and continued on to find new talent and put together what is, without question, the most determined, hungry, and diverse line-up to date consisting of some of the best and brightest musicians in death metal today.
Today, the current line-up of talent brings together an arrangement of artists from different east coast projects drawn to the nuclear bomb blasts, intricate overtures , and utter ferocity of PYREXIA.
New member Lee Cuzins. Lee, a virtuoso with the ability to learn any rhythm by ear, no matter the complexity, and a wrist made for death metal was an easy fit into the group.
Next came two other extremely important additions into the act: Chris Lytle, former bassist and current singer and front-man for long time New Jersey death metal veterans INSATANITY. Chris' talent and work ethic, along with his stability and unquenchable thirst for metal, made him an instant part of the family. Chris' proficient style on bass was exactly the low end PYREXIA required.
Then we have Erick Shute, the prodigal son, with the ability to belt out "Sermon Of Mockery" lyrics as though possessed by the soul of Daryl Wagner, yet a vocal range matched by none. "From the stomach" vocal patterns and a stage presence comparable to a caged pit bull released on a poodle. The fact that Erick was 7 years-old when some of the songs he's singing today in PYREXIA were released is a testament to the longevity of the music. Born to sing for PYREXIA, Erick is without question one of the most exciting parts of PYREXIA's return.
The newest addition is drummer Justin Dipinto, fresh off of his stint with MALEVOLENT CREATION, recording on their most recent release "The Will To Kill".
The final and sole founding member of PYREXIA, Chris Basile, continues to shred guitar strings and churn out a seemingly endless supply of "Rex Rhythms". Refusing to let the fire of a band and a career known as PYREXIA fade, Basile has no doubt assembled the most driven group of musicians to put forth a new era in band that never says Die. Currently in the pre-production phase of recording, an unprecedented release will soon follow.
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